January 26, 2024

26 January 2024 – Newsletter

A note from Mr Applegate

We’ve been thinking about volunteering this week in worship, and shared with the children about governors, school helpers and also those who help with Cubs, Brownies and so on. They were inspired!

Thanks to everyone for their support of the Disco tonight, in whatever capacity. A gentle reminder about parking and respecting local residents. And FOSM – you are amazing :)

Children’s Mental Health week is Monday 5th Feb. Here’s a great leaflet to get you thinking.

A reminder about Safer Internet Day on Tues 6th Feb; this will be non-uniform and children are encouraged to wear something orange if possible – the colour of Safer Internet Day.

Have a great weekend, Mr Applegate

What's your child learning next week?

FOSM Events Reminder

Prime bottles/hats etc

A reminder that school isn’t a place for logo’d items like Prime bottles. Thanks!

Book a farm slot

Click here

Farm updates

We have new locks on the cages – just put the code in and then pull down to release.
For those doing an evening booking, please remove the chicken food and put it in the shed. No need to feed. If you are doing a morning slot, return the chicken food to the shed and ensure it’s filled up.

Children’s Mental Health Week

From 5^th – 11^th February it is Children’s Mental Health Week. This year’s theme is ‘My Voice Matters’. Our Wellbeing Champions will launch the week during our Monday Worships. Here is a leaflet from the Charity Place2Be with some top tops for families.

School Car Park

If you have permission to use the school car park or are using it to collect children during the school day and can not find a marked bay to park in, could you please make sure that you park on the LEFT side of the car park. This ensures that there is always space for emergency services to use the car park in the event of an emergency.

Term dates and INSET days for 2024/25

Walking 100km for St Mark's

Parenting course available

1. Free Webinar – Understanding Sensory Processing and Integration in Children – click here – watch anytime!

2. Free Webinar – Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Wednesday 31st January – click here

3. Free Youtube video – What is Co-regulation, and why does it matter? Click here.

Tesco Funding - Vote for St Mark's

From Mid January to March, all of the Tescos in Basingstoke will have tokens available to ‘vote’ for a project – including our very own St Mark’s Farm and Forest School projects. This could be worth up to £10,000!

If you make a purchase in Tesco, don’t forget to vote for us by putting the token in the right box. And perhaps share this with your family and friends!

School Photoreel

2B are Agents of Change

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

⭐ Star Readers ⭐

⭐ Quiet Classes ⭐

1TM & 3D

⭐ Attendance Updates ⭐

Our target over the year is 97%. Last year’s attendance was 95.8% – above national levels, but we’d like it to be much higher.

Our current attendance percentage is 96.2%. Oh no :(

Weekly Attendance by Class

What's the impact on missing school?

Categories	Learning days lost
Acceptable sickness & unforeseen absences.	98% = 4 days
	97% = 6 days
	96% = 8 days
Attendance below 95% is of concern to the school & you will be contacted automatically.10 days unauthorised absences for holidays over the year mean you will only achieve 95% attendance. Sickness & medical appointments, although usually unavoidable & authorised, will add further to your child’s absence record.	95% = 10 days
	94% = 12 days
	93% = 14 days
	92% = 16 days
Poor attendance Attendance below 90% is a serious concern. Your child has now missed nearly 4 weeks’ education. You may be referred to the Early Help team at the local authority.	91% = 18 days
	90% = 20 days
	89% = 21 days
	88% = 23 days
	87% = 25 days
	86% = 27 days
Very poor attendance	85% = 29 days
	84% = 31 days
	82% = 35 days
	80% = 39 days

School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs

View the full calendar here. Subscribe on either Chrome/ Android or Apple

Meals
PE Days
Status: running as usual

Spring 1
- Year R – Mondays (indoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 1 – Tuesdays (indoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 2 – Tuesday (indoors) and Wednesday (indoors)
- Year 3 – Mondays (outdoors) and either Weds/Thurs/Fri Forest school (outdoors)
- Year 4 – Mondays (indoors) and Fridays (indoors)
- Year 5 – Tuesdays (outdoors) and Wednesdays (indoors)
- Year 6 – Wednesday (outdoors) and Friday (indoors)
What to wear

Children should wear PE kit to school on the days they have PE. When children have gym, please can they bring or wear shorts underneath. PE kit guide:
- Navy or black shorts. Jogging bottoms for outside in cold weather (leggings are fine too).
- PE skirts with cycling-style shorts are acceptable.
- White t-shirt. Please also wear the school jumper to school on PE days. Football shirts are not acceptable as PE kit.
- Trainers for all children.

After School Clubs

Spring 1 clubs will begin week commencing 8th January 2024.

Day	Club	Collection Time	Collect From
Monday	Year 2 Choir	4.00pm	2B
	KS2 Choir	4.00pm	Small Hall
	KS2 Girls Football	4.10pm	3W
Tuesday	Tag Rugby	4.10pm	6B
	Art Club	4.10pm	4PR
Wednesday	Pom Pom Wool Club	4.10pm	2G
	Cookery Club	4.10pm	Food Tech Room
Thursday	Art & Craft Club	4.00pm	2CL
	Board Games Club	4.00pm	1BB
	Coding Club	4.10pm	Year 6

Music Info
Full School Calendar
Information - breakfast and afterschool clubs, uniform etc
- Breakfast Club – just show up – details here.
- SCL after-school club – click here for full details.
- Uniform – click here for details, including Skoolkit ordering
- School bags – can be ordered here
- Absence – Please report absences via phone or email here by 9am. If you need to request a future absence, please use this form.
- Are you eligible for Free School Meals and further funding for the school? Check online here.
Foodbank Support

In worship this week…

Music of the Week

Gymnopedie No. 1 by Satie

Eric Satie was a French composer and pianist. He composed this, the 1st of 3 gymnopedies, in 1888 during the Romantic era.